Valentine Fabric Tag Tutorial

It's my turn on the Cre8ive Klatch blog today and I'm sharing a tutorial on making fabric tags for Valentine's Day. I created two versions of the same basic design to demonstrate some variations. You can see the tutorial HERE. Enjoy!

Linking up with Creative Everyday

Wonky Star Block Tutorial

One feature of the Christmas banner I  am making for the front door is a wonky star block. These are fun to make so I thought I'd post a little tutorial to share with you. Lord knows I didn't invent this block!  And there are other versions, but this is how I do it.

This block is basically a nine patch block. All the blocks will start as background fabric (in this case - white) except the very center which will be your star color (in the case - yellow).

Cut your squares to the appropriate size. Mine are 2 1/2 inches.  (The entire star block finishes at 6 inches.)

You will need strips of your star fabric. Some people cut half-square triangles of the star fabric, but I just use a strip - less cutting before getting started, but if you love to cut half square triangles cut away!  :)

The star has points in the top center, bottom center and right and left center blocks. The four corner blocks with remain white. Like this.

Place your star fabric face down on top of the background square. Be sure to have the star point exit the background square below the top of the block. At least 1/4 inch below. Otherwise the points will be cut off when you sew the block together.

Be sure that when folded open after sewing the star fabric will cover all the background area to the edge of the block.

Once the first point is done, sew the second one in the same way.

Then flip the block over so it is face down. Use the white square as a guide to trim up the star fabric so it is even with the white square.

Like this:

Here's the front. Cute, right?

Once you have trimmed the star fabric, you can cut away the white fabric underneath if you would like, in order to reduce layers. BUT BE CAREFUL! It is easy to get a little mixed up and cut the wrong thing. Leave the white layers there until you are sure you are ready to cut.

Continue to make all the points, then lay out your blocks like this:

The sew, press and admire your completed wonky star block!

Don't forget to square up the block before sewing it into your quilt.

Here's the Christmas banner as it stands this evening - lounging on the ironing board. It still needs the hand sewing of embellishments for the tree decorations and package bows. You can see how the star block fits in. (Had to do an indoor photo - it's dark outside!  ;)

So there you go! I hope this tutorial is helpful and inspires you to make some wonky stars of your own!  :)

Linking up with:

Fabric Tuesday

Freemotion by the River

Quick Christmas Potholder Tutorial

It's getting to be that time of year again - if I'm going to sew anything for Christmas decorations or holiday gifting  - better get started!

So I whipped up a few potholders in a Christmas theme.  These make great gifts by themselves or bundled with some baked goods and you can make them to fit any theme, of course, maybe Thanksgiving is more on your mind!  Or you can make them to coordinate with the kitchen, etc.

This is a quick machine-sewn method.  You can also bind the edges just like a quilt, but this makes it faster and I like this way of finishing them,

You will need:
a front fabric
a back fabric
2 layers of batting (I used one layer of Insulbright and one layer of cotton batting.)

I made mine patchwork - both front and back.  I used a jellyroll in Christmas prints (Robert Kaufman, maybe? I'm not sure. I bought it last year. If anyone knows please let me know!)  But you could make a patchwork front and use a plain back, or just use any fabric you love!

Cut your fabric and batting to the same size - I made mine about eight inches square.   Remember that the finished size will be smaller because of the seams.  I sewed with an 1/2 inch seam, so my finished size is 7 inches square.  Make them any size you like.

Once you have cut everything it's time to layer it all up and sew.  We are using a turned finish, so lay your front fabric face up, your back fabric face down, then the two layers of batting on top. Pin in a few places to keep everything together.  Leave an opening along one side about an inch or two in from each edge for turning.  I use a walking foot.  This is lots of layers to keep a handle on and the walking foot really helps!  If a walking foot did not come with your machine, I recommend purchasing one.  It is a super help with quilting!

IMPORTANT!  Before you turn it right side out, clip all the corners on a diagonal to take some of the bulk out of the corners. Be careful not to cut into the stitching! I also like to trim the batting down to about 1/4 of an inch. But NOT the fabric.

Reach in between the two fabric pieces and turn it right side out.  Use something to help push out the corners.  I use my fingers or the eraser end of a pencil. The eraser sort of grabs the fabric and helps push it out.  Next, press it nice and neat.  Turn under the edges of the opening so the raw edges are on the inside and press well.

Top stitch close to the edge.  Sew all the way around closing the opening and flattening the edges.  Then add more stitching for quilting - I don't do much - just enough to keep it all together. That's just my taste - add whatever you like.

And you're done!  Whoo hoo! Enjoy or give to a friend to spread a little Christmas cheer!

Any questions? I'd love to help, so ask away! :)
If you make one (or a bunch) leave a link so we can see.

11-29-2016 EDITED to add: I have had a question about how to make the patchwork square for the top of the potholder. So here is a link to a tutorial for a log cabin block. There are others, but this one has a nice diagram of the block at the bottom of the post.  You start with a center square and then add a piece to one side. Then add a strip to the next side of the square + the piece you just added, then add to the next side and so on. You keep going around for as many rounds as you want to get the size block you desire. Using strips of fabric (called jelly rolls) make this quick and easy. That's what I did for these potholders. Here is a tutorial with step by step photos. I hope this helps!  :)   -Laney

Happy stitching!

I'm linking up with Sew Darn Crafty and Anything Goes and Fabric Tuesday and Sew Cute Tuesday!